Disney Turns the Page With a 2% Webtoon Stake
Forget collecting issues, DisneyDIS wants comics to be consumed like content. The entertainment titan is taking a 2% equity stake in Webtoon EntertainmentWBTN to diversify its online media empire beyond traditional formats by creating a one-stop digital comics hub. The collaboration will house over 35K comics spanning Disney, Marvel, and 20th Century franchises under a single subscription service.
- The new platform expands Disney’s existing Marvel Unlimited service, which currently costs $10 monthly for access to 30K comics, while adding curated selections for Disney+ users.
- Investors celebrated the news, bringing Webtoon shares to a total rise of 97% over this past year, while Disney rose 25% during the same period.
Scroll for success: The partnership represents Disney’s broader push into digital entertainment, following recent expansions with ESPN’s National Football League deal this summer. Webtoon CEO Junkoo Kim described the venture as “a strong foundation for even greater collaboration with Disney in the years ahead.” Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro echoed the sentiment, noting, “We’re opening doors to new audiences and deepening fan engagement.”